Sicilian, I respect your opinion, but I disagree. And I think the board is at its best when people respectfully disagree.
I'm familiar with the story of the mayor's disaproval with the original design and then being presented with a set of alternatives. It's a great piece of Boston lore and it actually contributes to my affinity for the building itself.
I've always found the crown of 111 Huntington to be understated almost to a fault. In fact, when it was being constructed, I kept looking up at it expecting them to build it out/up because I thought it was incomplete. I think the crown is its finest moment, an exercise in restaint -- very Boston, no?
Anyways, how can anyone get mad at 111 Huntington considering its neighbors? These are some of the worst towers in the city: Trinity Place, Pru Towers, Westin Hotel, the Sheraton. You have to admit 111 Huntington breathes life into this dismal constellation.